Short answer: The best treadmill for most Canadians in 2026 is the BowFlex T9 at $2,199 — a 3.5 CHP motor, 22" × 60" deck and 350 lb capacity handle everything from walking to interval running. Budget walkers should buy the Horizon T101 at $799. Runners who want guided training should look at the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, and the NordicTrack X24 reaches a 40% incline. Conditioning athletes want the Assault Runner Pro at $3,999. The best performance treadmill you can put in a home is the Matrix T75 XUR at $6,899, and the outright luxury pick is the NordicTrack Ultra 1 at $21,000.
We have been selling treadmills in Canada since 1988. What follows is what we actually recommend on the showroom floor, sorted by who each machine is for — including who should skip it.
The 8 picks at a glance
| Treadmill | Price (CAD) | Deck | Motor | Max user | Incline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon T101 | $799 | 20" × 55" | 2.5 CHP | 300 lb | 0–10% | Walking on a budget |
| BowFlex T9 | $2,199 | 22" × 60" | 3.5 CHP | 350 lb | 0–15% | Best all-round value |
| BowFlex T16 | $2499 | 22" × 60" | N/A | 375 lb | 0–15% | Streaming and screen time |
| NordicTrack 1750 | $2499 | 22" × 60" | N/A | 400 lb | −3% to 12% | Guided iFIT running |
| NordicTrack X24 | $3899 | 22" × 60" | N/A | 400 lb | −6% to 40% | Incline and hill training |
| Assault Runner Pro | $3,999 | Curved slat | None (manual) | N/A | N/A | Hyrox, HIIT, conditioning |
| Matrix T75 XUR | $6,899 | 22" × 60" | 3.0 HP AC | 400 lb | 0–15% | Best performance |
| NordicTrack Ultra 1 | $21,000 | 22" × 60" | 3.0 CHP brushless | 400 lb | −3% to 15% | Ultimate luxury |
All prices are factory-direct at The Fitness Factory. Financing available through Flexiti for up to 12 months on orders over $450.
1. Horizon T101 — Best budget treadmill
The T101 is what we recommend when someone wants to walk consistently and doesn't want to spend more than they need to.
Key specs
- 2.5 CHP motor
- 20" × 55" running surface
- 300 lb maximum user weight
- 0–10% incline, top speed 10 mph
- Hydraulic folding, roughly 180 lb assembled
- 3-Zone Variable Response Cushioning
- Bluetooth speakers, device holder, USB charging
- Lifetime frame and motor warranty
Why we recommend it: a lifetime frame and motor warranty at $799 is unusual, and the three-zone cushioning is genuinely good at this price. Assembly takes under 30 minutes.
Who should skip it: anyone over 6'0" and anyone who runs regularly. The 55" belt is five inches shorter than we want for running, and 2.5 CHP is a walking-and-jogging motor. If that's you, the T9 is the honest recommendation.
2. BowFlex T9 — Best treadmill for most people
If we could only stock one treadmill, this would be it. The T9 does everything a home runner needs and skips the expensive attached touchscreen, which is exactly where the value comes from.
Key specs
- 3.5 CHP motor
- 22" × 60" FlexZone XL deck with three cushioning zones
- 350 lb maximum user weight
- 0–15% incline, top speed 12 mph
- QuickDial speed and incline controls
- Backlit 7" LCD console with media shelf
- 10 built-in programs including Sprint 8
- Works with JRNY, Peloton, Zwift and Apple Watch
- 77.2"L × 37"W × 67.6"H; folds to 48.6"L
- Lifetime frame and motor warranty, 3 years parts
Why we recommend it: the full 22" × 60" deck and 15% incline put this in genuine running territory, and the lifetime motor warranty tells you what BowFlex thinks of the drive system. Using your own tablet instead of a built-in screen saves several hundred dollars and means the console never becomes obsolete.
Who should skip it: if you want an integrated screen and a guided training ecosystem, look at the T16 or the 1750.
3. BowFlex T16 — Best for entertainment and streaming
The T16 is the T9 with the screen added back, plus a slightly higher weight capacity.
Key specs
- 22" × 60" running surface
- 375 lb maximum user weight
- 0–15% incline, speed range 0.5–12 mph
- 16" HD touchscreen
- 11 built-in programs
- Personalized workouts through JRNY
Why we recommend it: if the treadmill lives where you would otherwise be watching TV, the integrated 16" screen matters more than the spec sheet suggests. Adherence is the whole game, and people use machines they enjoy.
Who should skip it: if you already own a tablet and will actually use it, the T9 gives you nearly identical mechanicals for less.
4. NordicTrack Commercial 1750 — Best for guided running
The 1750 has been one of the best-selling treadmills in the world for years, and the reason is the iFIT integration rather than any single spec.
Key specs
- 22" × 60" running surface
- 400 lb maximum user weight
- −3% decline to 12% incline
- Top speed 14 mph
- 16" pivoting HD touchscreen
- SpringFlex cushioning system
- iFIT with 10,000+ workouts, SmartAdjust and ActivePulse
- Footprint 77.3"L × 37"W × 59.5"H
- Warranted for residential use only
Why we recommend it: the decline capability is the underrated feature — training downhill loads your legs differently and most treadmills cannot do it at all. SmartAdjust changes speed and incline automatically to follow your trainer, and ActivePulse holds you in a target heart-rate zone. For anyone who struggles to structure their own sessions, this is the machine that actually gets used.
Who should skip it: the iFIT subscription is where the value lives. If you will not subscribe, you are paying for a screen you will not use — buy the T9.
5. NordicTrack X24 — Best for incline training
Most home treadmills top out at 12–15% incline. The X24 reaches 40%.
Key specs
- 22" × 60" running surface
- 400 lb maximum user weight
- −6% decline to 40% incline
- Speed range 0–12 mph
- 24" pivoting HD touchscreen with dual 2" speakers
- SpringFlex cushioned deck
- iFIT with SmartAdjust and ActivePulse
- Footprint 69.9"L × 38.1"W × 73.3"H
Why we recommend it: high-incline training raises intensity without raising speed, which means a much harder session at a joint-friendly pace. That is the right trade for anyone with knee or hip issues, anyone training for hiking or mountain events, and anyone short on time. The pivoting screen also lets you follow off-treadmill strength and yoga sessions.
Check before you buy: ceiling height. At 40% incline the deck rises substantially and the machine already stands 73.3" tall. If you are 6'0" working with a standard 8-foot basement ceiling, measure carefully — or come test one in a showroom.
6. Assault Runner Pro — Best manual treadmill
No motor, no screen, nothing to burn out. You drive the belt with your feet, and the curved deck means your foot placement controls the speed directly.
Key specs
- Curved slat belt, non-motorized
- Commercial-grade construction
- No electrical components — no power outlet required
- 400lbs
Why we recommend it: this is the machine for Hyrox, CrossFit and sprint-interval work. Manual treadmills are meaningfully harder than motorized ones at the same perceived pace because you generate the belt speed yourself, and acceleration is instant — no waiting for a motor to catch up between intervals. There is essentially nothing to fail.
Worth knowing: we stock the full Assault Fitness parts inventory in Canada, including Runner Pro components, and our own technicians service them. That matters on a machine you will own for a decade.
Who should skip it: if you mostly want to walk while watching something, this is the wrong machine and an expensive way to find out.
7. Matrix T75 XUR — Best performance treadmill
The T75 is a commercial machine sold for the home. If you have ever run on a treadmill in a good health club and wondered why it felt different, this is why.
Key specs
- 3.0 HP continuous-duty industrial-grade AC motor
- 22" × 60" running surface
- 400 lb maximum user weight
- 0–15% incline, speed 0.5–12.5 mph
- Non-folding welded steel frame
- Ultimate Deck System, 1" deck thickness, 2-ply belt
- 22" HD capacitive touchscreen
- WiFi, Bluetooth FTMS, HDMI, USB, 5W speakers
- Netflix, YouTube, Spotify and web browser onboard
- iFIT compatible, 30-day family membership included
- Sprint 8 HIIT program, 13 workouts total
- Bluetooth heart rate strap included
- 79"L × 36"W × 61"H
- Lifetime frame, lifetime motor, 7 years parts, 2 years labour
Why we recommend it: the AC motor is the difference. AC drive systems have fewer internal components and less internal friction than the DC motors used in most home treadmills, so they run cooler and quieter and last dramatically longer. Combined with a lifetime motor warranty and a 1" deck, this is a machine you buy once.
Who should skip it: it does not fold, and at 79" long by 36" wide it needs a dedicated space. If the treadmill has to disappear between sessions, buy the T9.
8. NordicTrack Ultra 1 — The ultimate luxury treadmill
Every other machine on this list is a piece of fitness equipment. The Ultra 1 is furniture that happens to be a world-class treadmill. It is the product of fifty years of NordicTrack engineering, and it is built to be the centrepiece of the room rather than the thing you hide in the basement.
Key specs
- 3.0 CHP brushless motor, near-silent operation
- Top speed 15 mph — a four-minute-mile pace
- −3% decline to 15% incline
- 22" × 60" running surface
- Progressive Reflex cushioning — absorbs up to 52% of impact
- Stability Engine decoupled deck keeps the screen steady at any speed
- 24" pivoting HD touchscreen
- Eight home-theatre-quality speakers
- Dual tower fans with full-body cooling that auto-adjusts to workout intensity
- Hardwood uprights, brass controls, knurled metal detailing, wood louvers
- Ambient under-deck glow and surface path lighting
- Wireless charging and Bluetooth connectivity
- iFIT with 10,000+ workouts, SmartAdjust and ActivePulse
- White-glove concierge delivery included
Why we recommend it: the specifications alone do not explain this machine — the experience does. The decoupled deck design means the screen does not shake at 15 mph, which is a problem every other treadmill on this list has to some degree. The Reflex cushioning absorbing 52% of impact makes long runs meaningfully easier on your joints. Eight speakers and auto-adjusting full-body fans turn an iFIT session filmed in Kyoto or on Kilimanjaro into something close to actually being there.
And then there is the obvious part: hardwood uprights, brass controls and warm deck lighting mean this belongs in a living room. For clients building a home where a treadmill cannot look like gym equipment, there is nothing else in this category.
Who should skip it: if your priority is running performance per dollar, the Matrix T75 XUR gives you a commercial AC motor and a lifetime motor warranty for a third of the price. The Ultra 1 is bought for design, immersion and craftsmanship — and it is worth every dollar to the person who wants exactly that.
Available in multiple hardwood finishes. Talk to our team about finish options and lead times.
Want to walk on them first?
Eight showrooms across Canada with cardio on the floor.
How to choose: the four specs that actually matter
1. Motor (continuous horsepower)
CHP is the power a motor sustains. Peak horsepower is a marketing number — ignore it.
| Use | Minimum CHP |
|---|---|
| Walking only | 2.0–2.5 |
| Jogging, mixed household use | 2.5–3.0 |
| Running regularly, or user over 200 lb | 3.0+ |
| Multiple daily runners | 3.5+ |
An undersized motor does not fail dramatically. It runs hot, hesitates under load, and dies quietly around year three. This is the most common regret we hear.
2. Belt length
| Your height | Minimum belt length |
|---|---|
| Under 5'6" | 55" |
| 5'6" – 6'0" | 55" walking, 60" running |
| Over 6'0" | 60" — non-negotiable |
Width matters less, but 20" is the practical floor for running. Narrower and you will shorten your stride without noticing.
3. Maximum user weight
Take the heaviest person in the household and add 50 lb. Machines running near their rated ceiling stress motors and bearings every single session.
4. Cushioning
Firmer decks feel faster and suit runners. Softer decks reduce joint load and suit walkers and anyone managing knee or hip issues. This is the one thing a spec sheet cannot tell you — walk on both.
Folding vs non-folding
Buy folding if the treadmill shares a room with anything else. Roughly half the footprint disappears between sessions. The T101, T9 and T16 all fold. Browse folding treadmills →
Buy non-folding if you have dedicated space and you run. A continuous frame has fewer joints and less flex under a hard footstrike. Every commercial treadmill in every gym is non-folding — the Matrix T75 XUR and Assault Runner Pro follow that pattern. Browse non-folding treadmills →
The trade-off is real but overstated. A well-built folding treadmill outlasts a cheap non-folding one comfortably.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treadmill in Canada in 2026?
For most buyers, the BowFlex T9 at $2,199 — 3.5 CHP, a 22" × 60" deck, 350 lb capacity and a lifetime frame and motor warranty. The best performance treadmill regardless of price is the Matrix T75 XUR at $6,899, which uses a commercial-grade AC motor. The ultimate luxury option is the NordicTrack Ultra 1 at $21,000.
What is a good CHP for a home treadmill?
3.0 CHP is the safe minimum for anyone who runs. Walkers can go down to 2.0–2.5 CHP. Never buy on peak horsepower, which is not a measure of sustained performance.
Which treadmill has the highest incline?
Of the machines we carry, the NordicTrack X24 at 40% incline with a −6% decline. Most home treadmills top out at 12–15%.
What is the most expensive treadmill you can buy in Canada?
The NordicTrack Ultra 1 at $21,000 is the flagship of the residential market. It features hardwood uprights, brass controls, eight speakers, dual full-body cooling fans, a 24" pivoting touchscreen and Progressive Reflex cushioning that absorbs up to 52% of impact.
What is the best treadmill for a heavy user?
Look for a 400 lb rating and a 3.0+ CHP motor. The Matrix T75 XUR, NordicTrack Commercial 1750 and NordicTrack X24 are all rated to 400 lb.
Are manual treadmills better than motorized ones?
Not better — different. Curved manual treadmills like the Assault Runner Pro are harder at the same pace, respond instantly for intervals, and have essentially nothing electrical to fail. Motorized treadmills give you incline programs, guided classes and a screen. Choose based on how you train.
How much space does a treadmill need?
Plan for the machine's footprint plus about two feet of clearance behind it for safety. The treadmills here run 70–80" long and 33–38" wide. For high-incline models, allow ceiling height of roughly your own height plus 20 inches.
Can I put a treadmill in a condo or on a second floor?
Yes, with two checks. Use a rubber mat or interlocking tiles underneath to reduce impact noise for the unit below. And confirm delivery access — treadmills arrive on a skid, curbside. If you are above ground level with a narrow stairwell or small elevator, book delivery and assembly rather than curbside drop-off.
Do treadmills need maintenance?
Yes. Keep the belt centred and tensioned, lubricate the deck on the manufacturer's schedule (typically every three to six months), and vacuum around the motor cover a few times a year. Most treadmill failures our technicians attend are maintenance issues, not component failures.
Should I buy a treadmill online or in a showroom?
Online if you already know the model and spec you want. In a showroom if you are between two machines, if you are tall, or if you are managing a joint issue — deck feel decides it. We have showrooms in Markham, Mississauga, Barrie, London, Whitby, Calgary, Edmonton and Dartmouth, and we ship anywhere in Canada.
Why buy from The Fitness Factory
We have sold fitness equipment in Canada since 1988 — first as The Treadmill Factory, now as The Fitness Factory.
- Selection. Over 40 brands across cardio and strength, including NordicTrack, Horizon, BowFlex, Matrix, Assault Fitness, Sole, ProForm and Centr. We are the exclusive Canadian distributor for several of them.
- Eight showrooms. Markham, Mississauga, Barrie, London, Whitby, Calgary, Edmonton and Dartmouth. Walk on the machine before you buy it.
- In-house service. Our own technicians and our own parts department, including full Assault Fitness parts inventory. When something needs a part in year six, you call us.
- Canadian stock. No cross-border freight, no duty, no customs delays.